Process for producing cloud effects in enamels



E. 8. SMITH PROCESS FOR PRODUCING CLOUD EFFECTS IN ENAMELS May 2, 1933.-

Filed Nov. 23. 1932 Ear/e 5. fimith INVEN-TOR ATTORNEY Patented May 2,1933 UNITED STAES PATET OFFICE EARLE S. SIVIITH, OF TOLEDO, OHIO,ASSIGNOE TO THE TOLEDO PORCELAIN ENAMEL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF TOLEDO,OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO ZPROCESS FOR PRODUCING CLOUD EFFECTS INENAMELS Application filed November as, 1932. Serial No. 643,970.

This invention relates to processes for producing cloud effects inenamels and particularly to a process for producing effects having theappearance of clouds formed in light wisps through which a sky-likebackground is visible, thus simulating the effect of a cirrus cloudedsky.

Another object is the provision of a process for producing light cloudeffects in which cloud wisps are given a slightly fibrous mackerel skyeffect.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawing inwhich Figure I illustrates the appearance of a panel upon which myenameling process has been partially carried out and Figure IIillustrates the panel after a succeeding step of the process has beenapplied thereto. Owing to the impracticability of reproducing the beautyof the final effect, no attempt has been made to illustrate the panelafter the final step.

In carrying out the process of my invention, a metal, preferably iron orsteel, article or piece to be enameled, aft-er proper cleaning isdipped, sprayed or otherwise covered with a first or so-called groundcoat of vitreous enamel frit the color of which is not important so faras ultimate appearance is concerned. If the ground coat is applied by awetprocess it is then thoroughly dried. The ground coat of vitreousenamel is next fused to the metal in an enameling furnace.

When the article has cooled it is sprayed or dipped to coat it solidlywith enamel frit to form a background of proper color, such, forexample, as sky blue.

While the coat of solid color is still wet it is speckled, by means of asplatter gun or otherwise, with numerous small spots of enamel ofanother color, giving it an appearance resembling that of the panelillustrated in Figure I of the drawing. The spots, however, instead ofbeing black on a white background, may be white on a blue background, orany other combination of colors may be selected.

While the spattered surface is still wet it is brushed in one directionwith a wire or stifl bristle brush or comb, the wires, bristles or teethof which are spaced apart so that the surface of the wet enamel isfurrowed and the colors are streaked into each other; the surface thustaking on the appearance illustreated in Figure II of the drawing.

While the outer coating is still wet and somewhat fiu'id the article isarred or jolted. This results in smoothing out the furrows left by thebrushing or combing operation and giving the streaked color a light,fluffy, delicate appearance, with the fibrous structpre and feather-likeform of a cirrus clouded s ry.

The coating is then thoroughly dried and finally fused to the groundcoat, the fusing operation further enhancing the beauty of the cloudedcoating. 7

Although I have illustrated the steps of my process in black and whiteand have described the process as utilizing blue and white, the effectmay be obtained with any selected colors. The embodiment of my inventionherein described is tobe regarded as illustrative only, and it is to beunderstood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modificationand change within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In an enameling process, the steps of applying to a surface a solidwet coat of vitreous enamel frit of one color, speckling said coat withwet vitreous enamel frit of another color, streaking said coat by abrushing operation, jarring said coat to produce a cirrus cloudedeffect, drying, and fusing said coat to said surface.

2. In an enameling process, the steps of applying to a surface a groundcoat, fusing said ground coat thereto, applying to said ground coat asolid wet coat of vitreous enamel frit of one color, speckling said coatwith wet vitreous enamel frit of another color, streaking said coat by abrushing operation, jarring said coat to produce a cirrus cloudedeffect, drying, and fusing said coat to said surface.

EARLE S. SMITH.

